Hike Brookside Gardens and Wheaton Regional Park

This hike begins with a tour of plant collections in lovely Brookside Gardens, then hits the diverse trails in adjacent Wheaton Regional Park. We'll walk a bit over 4.5 miles, with total ascents of about 400 feet, on trails with surfaces ranging from garden mulch to pavement on hiker/biker routes, and (mostly) natural forest paths. This hike is one of a series celebrating the forthcoming 7th edition of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club's classic guide to trails in Maryland to the north and west of Washington, DC. Those arriving early at the trailhead may receive a free copy of the trail map that will appear in the guide.
National guidance: The Sierra Club has decided not to require COVID vaccines or tests as a prerequisite. So, in going on a Sierra Club outing, you may be accompanied by vaccinated or unvaccinated individuals; it is your choice to attend knowing this information. The leader(s) are not allowed to request or reveal vaccination status of any adult, nor reject a participant based on vaccination status. However, if you are experiencing COVID symptoms or feel sick, you should not attend the outing. Additionally, each person who attends is responsible for notifying the leader(s) of any positive COVID test or a COVID diagnosis for the period 2 weeks after the outing. If you have questions, contact the leader(s).
There is no fee for this event, but participants are asked for a modest donation ($2 or so) to cover first aid, website, and other costs.